Ja Morant says he should be NBA Rookie of the Year over Zion Williamson

Ja Morant believes he deserves to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award over Zion Williamson.

Morant was selected second overall by the Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft, after Williamson went first to the Pelicans.

Williamson, who played just one season of college basketball at Duke before declaring for the draft, was the heavy favorite for Rookie of the Year honors going into the season, but then he suffered a torn meniscus in October, delaying his professional debut until January.

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He has been spectacular since returning from injury, averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game. Williamson has shot 58.9 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from 3-point range.

Zion Williamson is the first teenager in NBA history to score 35+ points and shoot 75% or better from the floor in a game.@PelicansNBA#WontBowDown

Morant, though, has the advantage of playing 59 games to Williamson's 19 this season, in which he has averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds. He has shot 49.1 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc.